Galindo scores, Chivas rallies to tie Galaxy 2-2 in playoff opener

Chivas rallies to tie Galaxy 2-2 in playoff opener

CARSON, Calif. — Maykel Galindo scored in the 50th minute and Chivas USA rallied to tie the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 on Sunday in the first game of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Maicon Santos scored early for Chivas, and Mike Magee and Landon Donovan tallied to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead at halftime.

The winner of the second game between the clubs next Sunday will advance to the conference final. If the teams tie again, they will play a 30-minute overtime — to be followed by penalty kicks, if necessary.

Galindo, who entered the game in the 46th minute, pounced on a pass from Galaxy rookie Omar Gonzalez intended for goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, and scored from 15 yards into an open net.

Santos put Chivas USA ahead 1-0 in the fourth minute with a diagonal 19-yard shot inside the right post. But Magee and Donovan responded with goals that gave the Galaxy a 2-1 halftime lead.

Magee exploited a defensive mistake to score in the 14th minute. Donovan’s header fell to Chivas USA’s Yamith Cuesta, who misplayed the ball off his right foot. Magee secured the ball and converted from nine yards.

Another miscue helped Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 41st minute. Santos sent Paulo Nagamura’s clearance back to Chivas USA’s penalty area. The ball fell between defender Carey Talley and Donovan, who scored on a soft 5-yard shot inside the right post.

Ricketts made two big saves in a 3-minute span of the second half. He leapt to his left to deflect Nagamura’s 23-yard line drive in the 57th minute, then blocked Santos’ 3-yard shot at the left post with his feet in the 60th minute.

The Galaxy extended its unbeaten streak against Chivas USA to seven games.

Story from: STATS LLC, www.stats.com.